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Victorino activated for Game 2; Bradley sent down

Victorino activated for Game 2; Bradley sent down

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By Ian Browne
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MLB.com |

BOSTON -- Shane Victorino had just been activated from the disabled list in time to start Saturday's Game 2 of a day-night doubleheader. But this wasn't the type of game that allowed him to ease back into action.

Victorino led off the bottom of the first with a single. And when Jonny Gomes clubbed one off the Green Monster, Victorino roared all the way home from first.

But as he came home, he felt a grabbing sensation in his left hamstring, the same one that forced him to the disabled list.

Victorino went into the clubhouse, where he was accompanied by a trainer. Fortunately for the Red Sox and Victorino, there was no reinjury.

Perhaps his body was just in a little bit of shock following the recent inactivity.

"We got a quick test right out of the gate in the first inning, obviously going first to home on that double," said Victorino. "I felt it a little bit there, but maybe it's just me, you know, consciously finally getting the chance to go first to home and really accelerating, but it didn't really hamper me the rest of the game. I felt it a little bit here and there, but for the most part it felt pretty good. I lasted nine and we'll go from there."

It was clear that Victorino was fine from a couple of the running catches he made in center field later in the game.

A centerfielder most of his career, Victorino got to move back to his old position for a night so Jacoby Ellsbury could get some rest.

Victorino will likely be out of the lineup on Sunday, simply because it's a day game following a night game.

To make room for Victorino on the roster, the Red Sox optioned outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. to Triple-A Pawtucket.

Bradley, who was drafted by the Red Sox just two years ago, went 5-for-21 in his second stint in the Majors. He will resume his season for Pawtucket, where he was hitting .354 in 79 at-bats.

It was a far more successful stint than last time around, when Bradley was sent down following an 0-for-20 slump.

"It's an improvement," Bradley said. "You're always working to get better. Just getting better is the goal, and who knows what will happen."

Gomes and David Ross were also inserted into the lineup for the nightcap. Gomes batted second and played left. Ross was behind the plate, batting seventh.

This was Victorino's first game for Boston since May 20.

Ian Browne is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Brownie Points, and follow him on Twitter @IanMBrowne. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.